The niceties are over for Team Canada at the Olympic Games. Win and you’re in. Lose and you can start packing for home. That’s the challenge ahead to bring back the gold.

Canada might be the defending champions at the tournament, but that means nothing Wednesday as they face Latvia in the quarterfinal to start the road toward the gold-medal game on Sunday.

At this point, there are more questions than answers for Canada. That’s the scary part of this process. No one is sure what this team is made of yet.

IS CANADA OVERCOACHED?

This staff is made up of some of the most successful and greatest minds in the game.

Mike Babcock, Claude Julien, Lindy Ruff and Ken Hitchcock have had plenty of success in the NHL. Ralph Krueger has been scouting every opponent.

You have to wonder if the Canadian players are suffering from information overload before every game. You have to think Babcock needs to take charge here and make sure that’s not the case.

If Canada loses, the finger will be pointed at him and nobody else.

GET CROSBY GOING

Patience is one of Babcock’s virtues. But it hasn’t been the case in this tournament where Sidney Crosby and his lack of production is concerned.

In Game 3 against Finland, Crosby skated with Patrice Bergeron and Jamie Benn. Crosby started the tournament with Pittsburgh linemate Chris Kunitz on the left side. Jeff Carter played Game 1 and Martin St. Louis played Game 2.

Many executives contacted by the Sun don’t think Kunitz ever should have been taken off Crosby’s line. Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt in this case. It has worked in the past and should be left alone. Makes sense.

THE P.K. SUBBAN DEBATE

He is one of the NHL’s best defencemen, a Norris Trophy candidate in every sense of the word. He cannot crack Canada’s lineup.

Yes, the Montreal blueliner might dress against the Latvia on Thursday, but if he plays, it will be limited because Babcock has made it clear he likes the way the three pairings he has are working.

This will leave Babcock open to criticism if Canada doesn’t win. Why?

Subban is viewed by many as a difference-maker. He has been accused of being selfish, but there aren’t many players who can handle moments like this. He loves the spotlight and would step up here.

PAYING THE PRICE

The decision has been made to make Montreal’s Carey Price the No. 1. If he comes out of the net now, it’s too late for Canada.

Price was solid when he had to be in a 2-1 OT victory over Finland on Monday. He wasn’t tested a whole lot, but made a key save on Sami Salo with the Finns pressing to get a win in extra time.

Leaving the goalie who already has a gold medal — Roberto Luongo — on the bench is risky business. He had a solid effort in a victory over Austria, but won’t be called again unless it’s messy.

STOP THE SHIFTING

The line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Marleau and Carter will remain together against Latvia.

Canada will try a new trio of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Benn against the Latvians. The club hasn’t gotten a whole lot in the way of scoring from its forwards. Finding the right combinations is key.

Canada has the best group of forwards in the tournament. It hasn’t looked that way because they haven’t scored goals.

It’s time to drop the structure card and go for gold. Skating and scoring will win the title at this juncture. No, defence cannot be forgotten, but there must be an emphasis on offence.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Team Canada has only faced one real test in its first three games. That came against the Finns.

You could argue this game against Latvia should be an easy ticket to the semifinal, but once you get to a one-game do-or-die, the unpredictable can happen.

Canada has the talent to win gold. It’s time for this team to come together and score consistently. Canada should have learned Wednesday with Latvia’s win over the Swiss that anything can happen.